What to wear to the races
What to wear to the races
March 07, 2024
Whether it’s Royal Ascot or Cheltenham Festival, race day is a chance to dress your best. Set style codes mean you need to consider your outfit carefully, so you meet the requirements while feeling fabulously stylish. Wondering what to wear to the races? Find pieces to put your wardrobe in the winners’ enclosure – discover our race day edit below.
While some racecourses permit more casual looks, others remain traditional. Our first tip is to check the dress code, as now isn’t the time to break style requirements. Pay particular attention to the enclosure on your ticket – several courses change their dress code depending on the enclosure. We’ve curated an expert style guide to help you work out what to wear to the races and put together a standout ensemble.
Modern Jacquard Blazer 4747/ Smart Straight Leg Trousers 7009
What to wear at Cheltenham - March
The calendar event in jump racing, Cheltenham Festival is known for its rich history and distinctive country style.
Cheltenham is the first major event of race season. Taking place just before spring means there’s a good chance of chilly weather, so make sure you stay warm with a chic extra layer. Let your jacket do the talking with our Modern Jacquard Blazer, or find a beautifully transeasonal piece in our Satin-lined Textured Jacket. Its textured cotton blend is reminiscent of tweed – a Cheltenham mainstay – and works perfectly with our Smart Straight Leg Trousers.
The absence of a formal dress code makes Cheltenham the time to choose favourite pieces. Our Tie-neck Floral Dress is a standout style in one effortless, pull-on step, in a navy colourway that suits the time of year.
Ava Rose Jersey Dress 5733
What to wear to Epsom Derby - May-June
Get set for Epsom Derby, and two exhilarating days of flat racing and bright fashion. There is no official dress code at Epsom (other than in The Queen Elizabeth II Stand). Racegoers are simply encouraged to come ‘dressed to feel their best’.
And what brings joy with every wear? Print! We recommend opting for bright and beautiful to ensure you stand out on Ladies’ Day.
Vibrant colour is the byword for our Ava Rose Jersey Dress (coming soon). Like all our patterns, these prints are original and printed by us – so you know you’ll stand out in exclusive designs. The jersey fabric is also beautifully soft and easy to wear, skimming your figure for an elegant silhouette.
What to wear at Royal Ascot - June
There’s nothing quite like Ascot. It’s as regal and royal as race days come, with a stylish fashion line-up to match. The question of what to wear at the races has never felt more important…
Multiple standards can make navigating Ascot’s dress code a daunting prospect, but there’s plenty of scope once you’ve grasped a few dos and don’ts.
Pleat-neck Spotted Blouse 6151/ Spotted Jersey Skirt 8287
Classic Occasion Jacket 7100
Each of the Royal Ascot enclosures has different rules about what you can wear. The Royal Enclosure is, unsurprisingly, the strictest: dresses and skirts must fall just above the knee or longer, headwear must be worn and shoulder straps must be at least one inch wide. Try our Figure-flattering Wrap-effect Dress, in our exclusive Clementine print. It’s intelligently designed to fit and flatter, with elegant longer-length sleeves for a touch more coverage.
For a swingy, 40s-inspired silhouette, we recommend our Floral Crepe Tea Dress. Wear with the Classic Occasion Jacket to feel racetrack-ready (even when there’s a chill). We offer almost all our skirts and dresses in two lengths to give you more flexibility when it comes to finding your fit. Simply choose the longer length to be extra-certain of meeting the dress code.
With no formal dress rules, the Windsor Enclosure offers a more relaxed approach. Smart daywear is your go-to – we think this Pleat-neck Spotted Blouse and Spotted Jersey Skirt work perfectly. Wear them together as coordinates and then as easy-to-style separates when race day is over.